Is this too phallic for a potential tattoo?

[Gravitycollapse]

It is the quintuple zero from Gravity's Rainbow. I want to have it inked after I finish my second reading in the next two weeks. I've been planning on getting a tattoo for years and this design has been in my head for the past 8 months.

However, my ex, who has an educational background in gender studies and human sexuality (I have a similar background as well), told me she thought it was too phallic. I'm not so sure. Although, the novel does explore the phallic symbolism behind the V2.

What say you?

[Locut0s]

1. What is and isn't phalic is in the mind of the beholder...

At least more often than not. Clearly there are some things that we can universally agree upon. This isn't one of those. No it's not phallic to me at all, not unless any type of longish cylindrical object is phallic, and to some people that's all you need. It also depends on where the tattoo will be I suppose. If you like it go for it. I wouldn't worry about that aspect of it.

But them I'm not you. I think this is too personal a question for a forum to answer really. For many people the question of whether the image was phallic or not might not matter at all, clearly to you it does so it takes on an importance that it wouldn't to others.

[TexasTowelie]

2. If you intend to have it tattooed on your penis,

then yes.

Second, if you are getting it tattooed on your penis are you getting done to scale?

Finally, if the answer to the previous question is yes have you accounted for shrinkage?

[BainsBane]

4. Shrinkage!

I was in the pool!

[TexasTowelie]

17. I knew that someone would understand the reference.

I was getting close to going to bed so I didn't post the video clip, so thank you.

[Jenoch]

16. My father's 85 year old best friend,

a retired OBGYN, likes to tell people he has a tattoo on his penis. He says in a 'normal' state you can see an 'A' and an 's'. When he is aroused it says "Art Johnson's Bar & Grill, Green Bay, Wisonsin".

[BainsBane]

3. I'd worry less about it being phallic

than if you want a missile on your body. Rightly or wrongly, I would see that and think war monger.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

5. Yeah, the V2 was a big hit in England some years ago.

But I sort of lack creativity. I never thought of anything I wanted as a tattoo. But I'm still thinking ...

[In_The_Wind]

7. I agree with you.

[HERVEPA]

6. Idiotic and highly insensitive idea, phallic or not.

And what is it that put America in the forefront of the nuclear nations? And what is it that will make it possible to spend 20 billion dollars of your money to put some clown on the moon? Well, it was good old American know-how, that's what. As provided by good old Americans like Dr. Wernher von Braun.

Gather round while I sing you of Wernher von Braun,
A man whose allegiance
Is ruled by expedience.
Call him a Nazi, he won't even frown.
"Ha, Nazi Schmazi," says Wernher von Braun.

Don't say that he's hypocritical,
Say rather that he's apolitical.

"Once the rockets are up, who cares where they come down?
That's not my department," says Wernher von Braun.

Some have harsh words for this man of renown,
But some think our attitude
Should be one of gratitude,
Like the widows and cripples in old London town
Who owe their large pensions to Wernher von Braun.

You too may be a big hero,
Once you've learned to count backwards to zero.
"In German oder English I know how to count down,
Und I'm learning Chinese," says Wernher von Braun.

[Gravitycollapse]

21. Are you just spamming my thread with insults? Read the book.

[trof]

25. Lehrer was a bleedin' GENIUS.

[pipi_k]

8. I think if you

have the front half of it pointing downward, nobody's going to give you a hard time about it looking phallic...

[Chan790]

9. What's wrong with a phallic tattoo if that's the tattoo you really want?

Is it a bit phallic? Perhaps.

If I were getting something permanently inked onto my body, the only person whose opinion would matter is my own.

So the question isn't Is this too phallic? but Is this what I want on my skin?

[HERVEPA]

10. You want the rocket used by Hitler to murder civilians in the UK as a tatoo.

What the hell is wrong with you?

[Gravitycollapse]

18. You should probably read the book before commenting on that fact...

As the quintuple zero is not merely any other rocket.

[cliffordu]

20. ^^^^^this^^^^

[rrneck]

11. As Freud said...

"Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."

Context is important. Putting a rocket on the back of your calf sends an entirely different message than a rocket under your navel.

[pipi_k]

14. A rocket under your navel or...

a naughty monkey...

[rrneck]

15. Gah! Smell no evil. nt

[irisblue]

12. could this be an 'I'llshowyou' to your ex?

"However, my ex, who has an educational background in gender studies and human sexuality (I have a similar background as well), told me she thought it was too phallic. I'm not so sure."
From what I recall reading, you just had a bitter breakup, with a lot of hurt from her not returning a book to you. So, is this a 'I'll show you, you can't tell me what to do, and I know you didn't like this so I'm going to get it.' spite behavior; you did tell us she thought it was 'too phallic'.
It's your body, your skin, your call. Tats cost money, tat removal costs more money....be very very sure.

[hedgehog]

13. I would be worried that it is too intricate a design that

might blur too much in the future.

[cliffordu]

19. Having read the tome several times

I say GREAT idea.

But I'd rather have Pig Bodines's runcible spoon tattoed on me.

[Gravitycollapse]

23. I also considered a Byron the lightbulb tattoo.

[cliffordu]

24. Awesome....

!!!!!

[Tom Ripley]

22. I guess it's better than having a Donald Barthelme or John Barth reference tattooed on yourself

[trof]

26. No, it's too tatooey.

Tattoos are at the very tippy top on my list of things that are NOT COOL.